Cleveland man charged with Engaging in illicit sexual conduct with children while abroad

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 7, 2013

A Cleveland man was charged with traveling to abroad and illegally engaging in illicit sexual conduct with children, said Mythili Raman, Acting Assistant Attorney General, Criminal Division, United States Department of Justice, and Steven M. Dettelbach, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio.

Malek M. Al Maliki, Jr., 55, was arrested March 6.

“Protecting children from predators is a priority of my office and the Department of Justice,” Dettelbach said. “We will vigorously go after those who would abuse children, whether they lurk online, travel abroad or engage in human trafficking in our backyard.”

The indictment charges that between on or about August 15, 2010 and November 8, 2010, Al Maliki, a United States citizen, traveled in foreign commerce from the United States to Syria, and engaged and attempt to engage in illicit sexual conduct with John Doe #1, a person under 18 years of age.

The indictment also charges that between on or about August 15, 2010 and November 8, 2010, Al Maliki, traveled in foreign commerce from the United States to Syria, and attempted to engage in illicit sexual conduct with John Doe #2, a person under 18 years of age.

If convicted, the defendant’s sentence in this case will be determined by the court after consideration of the Federal Sentencing Guidelines which depend upon a number of factors unique to each case, including the defendant’s prior criminal record, if any, the defendant’s role in the offense and the unique characteristics of the violation. In all cases, the sentence will not exceed the statutory maximum and in most cases it will be less than the maximum.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Michael A. Sullivan and Trial Attorney Bonnie Kane of the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section. The case was investigated by the Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations.

An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.